Democrats storm out of U.S. Justice Department leaders’ briefing on Epstein files

Democrats walked out of a Justice Department briefing on Epstein files, demanding Attorney General Bondi testify under oath.

U.S. Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday (March 18, 2026) stormed out of a closed-door briefing on the Jeffrey Epstein files by the U.S. Justice Department leaders, and said they would push to force Attorney General Pam Bondi to answer questions under oath about the case that has plagued the Trump administration.

Ms. Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche went to Capitol Hill to try to quell bipartisan frustration over the Justice Department’s handling of millions of files related to Epstein’s sex trafficking investigation.

But less than an hour into the briefing, Democrats walked out in protest of the arrangement and said they would press to enforce a subpoena for Bondi to appear for a sworn deposition next month.

“We want her under oath because we do not trust her,” said Democratic Rep. Maxwell Frost.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche depart following a closed-door briefing for members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee | Photo Credit: Reuters

Asked by reporters after the briefing whether she would comply with the subpoena, Ms. Bondi said, “I made it crystal clear I will follow the law.” She also defended the department’s handling of the Epstein files, saying officials are proud of their work to release millions of documents to the public.